Germany Deporting Convicted Syrian Citizen to Damascus Signals Shift in Immigration Policy

For the first time since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, the German government has deported a convicted Syrian citizen back to his home country; an action, alongside the deportation of another individual to Afghanistan, seen as a sign of a shift in Berlin’s immigration policies.

According to the German Interior Ministry, the 37-year-old man, convicted in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on charges including armed robbery, causing serious bodily harm, and extortion, was deported after serving his prison sentence.

German officials stated that the individual was transferred to Damascus via a direct flight, with the Federal Police accompanying him to the Syrian capital and handing him over to local authorities.

This deportation process took place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. At the same time, the German Interior Ministry announced the deportation of another individual to Afghanistan, without providing further details.